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Laurite

A species of Pyrite Group

Laurite is an opaque black, metallic ruthenium sulfide mineral with formula: RuS2. It crystallizes in the isometric system. It is in the pyrite structural group. Though rare, it occurs in many parts of the world. Laurite has a Mohs hardness of 7.5 and a specific gravity of 6.43. It can contain osmium, rhodium, iridium, and iron substituting for the ruthenium.

Hardness:

7 - 7.5

Density:

6.39 g/cm³

General Info About Laurite

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Physical Properties of Laurite

Colors

Black

Streak

Dark grey

Hardness

7 - 7.5 , Extremely hard

Density

6.39 g/cm³, Obviously Heavy Weight

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Chemical Properties of Laurite

Formula

RuS₂

Elements listed

Ru, S

Common Impurities

Os,Rh,Ir,Fe

Characteristics of Laurite

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Formation of Laurite

It was discovered in 1866 in Borneo, Malaysia and named for Laurie, the wife of Charles A. Joy, an American chemist. It occurs in ultramafic magmatic cumulate deposits and sedimentary placer deposits derived from them. It occurs associated with cooperite, braggite, sperrylite, other minerals of the platinum group elements and chromite. Synthetic RuS2 is a highly active catalyst for hydrodesulfurization.

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